by Mark Angelides
When Barack Obama first called for a ban on police departments being able to use surplus military equipment three years ago, it was a knee jerk reaction to the Ferguson, Missouri riots. It was a bad policy that President Trump may be about to repeal.
After the police used military equipment to quell riots in Ferguson, for Obama, it was all about public relations. He wanted to appear to be doing something that would “speak for” black folk, whilst at the same time chastise the police for essentially doing their jobs. He even said as much:
“We’ve seen how militarized gear can sometimes give people a feeling like they’re an occupying force, as opposed to a force that’s part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them,” Obama said in announcing the ban in 2015. And he said the use of this gear created a deepening a divide between law enforcement and a wary community.
Nowhere was there a mention of a solid reason other than people’s feelings for implementing the ban. The initial that was built on came through Congress almost 30 years ago as a measure for police dealing with rising and violent drug crime. The “1033 program” was, according to USA Today, “ expanded in 1997 to include all local law enforcement operations, including counter-terrorism. Since then, according to the government, more than $5 billion in gear has been transferred to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies.”
“Much of the equipment provided through the 1033 program is entirely defensive in nature … that protect officers in active shooter scenarios and other dangerous situations,” the Trump administration proposal says.
The reality is that Trump is right in this. The criminals and “activists” can get hold of ex-military equipment illegally, and they do. With the current Antifa and BLM anger towards the police (consider the horrific shooting of officers), the police departments need proper gear to protect themselves. A standard bullet proof vest is fine against a “Saturday night special”, but that is not what is out on the streets nowadays. There are high powered rifles, explosives, and Hi-Tec gear that standard police issue gear is not built to deal with.
When criminals have access to better equipment than the police, it puts all of us in danger.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is due to meet with the Fraternal Order of Police today and may outline exactly how this will roll out.
Trump Set to Repeal Obama’s Ban on Military Equipment for Police
Views:
This would be the point where many turn away from Trump. I had hopes that he would be different but it looks like he’s turning out to be more of the same
Uh, no. Obama continued the policy of arming police with military weapons. There was no ‘ban’, but after Fergusen and all the outrage he decided to make law enforcement do extra paperwork if they wanted their military weapons. It was all for show, to appease Americans who were upset at how the police were armed in Fergusen.
“Come out with your hands up and your weapons down. We will provide you with safe passage.”
What do you think the Branch Davidians heard before they unleashed on them? David used to hold activities with the local law enforcement, and was known to them. Then they betrayed him, and killed everyone, bulldozed over the wreckage and expect the rest of us to forget.
Pucka pucka pucka pucka boom BOOM!
Standard Operating Procedure.
The velvet glove of the velvet mafia has come off the iron fist. Exactly how far up your ass do they have to go before you notice something is hurting and you can’t sit down anymore?
More than timely. They’re going to need it as the Neo-communist left is about to go ultra violent nationwide by October.